Pacific Edge Magazine Announces Business Achievement Awards Finalists
Winners to be recognized through a virtual Red Carpet Gala on Thursday, November 12th, at 7:00 P.M. HST on KHON2
HONOLULU (October 22, 2020) — Pacific Edge magazine is proud to announce the finalists of its Annual Business Achievement Awards. Winners for each of the 12 categories will be announced during a televised red-carpet awards gala on November 12th on KHON2 at 7:00 p.m. Viewers will be able to comfortably take part in the gala from their living room, and the awards will also be livestreamed on www.khon2.com, KHON’s YouTube, and KHON’s Facebook page; re-broadcasted on KHII and KHON2; and posted on KHON’s YouTube for future viewership.
Hosted by Pacific Edge magazine, Hawai‘i’s premier custom publishing firm, the 10th Annual Business Achievement Awards gala will honor Jim Walters, CEO of Hawaiian Building Maintenance, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Under Jim’s leadership for the past 25 years, the company has more than doubled in size. Jim has striven to provide first class services to hundreds of facilities across Hawai‘i while creating a lasting impact through his charitable work.
“We are thrilled to add three new award categories to the lineup this year,” said Naomi Hazelton, founder and publisher of Pacific Edge magazine. “This year has been challenging for everyone. With more awards this year than ever before, this year’s ceremony gives us a chance to take a step back and recognize the accomplishments of the incredible individuals and companies who make Hawai‘i the most incredible place on earth.”
While there are still a few weeks until the Business Achievement Awards Gala is televised and winners are announced, voting for two award categories—Social Media Influencer of the Year and Social Media Business Impact of the Year—will commence soon. The public will vote for the winner via Pacific Edge Magazine’s Instagram and the Pacific Edge Awards website. The winners will be announced live during the Business Achievement Awards Gala. Voting will begin the first week of November and instructions for voting will be available on Pacific Edge Magazine’s Instagram.
Nominations were judged by an independent panel comprised of seven esteemed members of the business community. The judges included Toby Tamaye, President of AT Marketing; Jacob Noh, HR Consultant at Simplicity by Altres; Lisa Maruyama, President and CEO of the Hawai‘i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO); John Strandberg, Regional Manager for Pacific Digital Signs; Joy Barua, former Senior Director of Government and Community Relations & Community Benefit at Kaiser Permanente; Mariah Brown, Co-founder of Da Kitchen Restaurant; and Kristina Lockwood, General Manager of KHON2 (FOX) and Hawai‘i’s CW.
“It was such an honor to read the numerous nomination packets for this year’s Business Achievement Awards,” said Mariah Brown, judge and Co-founder of Da Kitchen Restaurant. “To see firsthand what talented people we have in our community that are making such a huge impact brought tears to my eyes. During these uncertain times, it is great to recognize individuals that are able to pivot their business by supporting their team and their communities. They’re exactly what is needed now more than ever. Congratulations to everyone for your participation in helping Hawai‘i become a better place.”
The finalists are as follows:
- Business Pivot of the Year – New:
- JPG Hawai’i
- Ko Hana Distillers
- Maui Brewing Co. / Kupu Spirits
- Wilson Care Group / AlohaMask.com
- Healthcare Leader of the Year – New:
- Jinan Banna, CEO – Jinan Banna, LLC
- Shelley Wilson, President – Wilson Care Group / AlohaMask.com
- David Yew, Owner & Medical Director – Aesthetics Hawaii
- Non-Profit Impact of the Year – New:
- Blood Bank of Hawaii
- IHS (The Institute for Humane Services)
- Legal Aid Society of Hawaii
- Touch A Heart, Inc.
- Young Professional of the Year:
- Khrystyn Huynh, Marketing Manager – Honolulu Federal Credit Union
- Jacob Johnson, RME & Partner – Hale Partners Llc
- Bianca Mordasini, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement (Shidler), and Co-Chair of Mentor Hawaii Program (COCHYP) – University of Hawaii Manoa Shidler College of Business & Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Young Professionals Program
- Ethan West, CoFounder & President – Punahele Provisions
- Hospitality Executive of the Year:
- Jim Braman, General Manager – The Cliffs at Princeville
- Simeon Miranda, General Manager – Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk
- Teri Orton, General Manager – Hawaii Convention Center
- Social Media Influencer of the Year:
- Diane Ako, Anchor / Reporter – KITV4 (@diane_ako)
- Abe McAulton, Senior Wish & Content Coordinator – Make-A-Wish Hawaii (@hamb0y)
- Charlie Teixeira, Owner – Route 99 / Acts Of Aloha (@route99hawaii )
- Khai Tran, Realtor Associate – Coldwell Banker Realty (@khaimtran)
- Social Media Business Impact of the Year:
- Fused Hawaii (@fusedhawaii)
- HawaiiFoodReviews (@hawaiifoodreviews)
- Kira Hawaii (@kirahawaii)
- KITV4 (@kitv4)
- Businesswoman of the Year:
- Monica Belz, President and CEO – Kauai Government Employees Federal Credit Union (KGEFCU)
- Tricia Fetui, Senior Director of Events & Engagement for the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and Executive Director of the Young Professionals Program – Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
- Tracy Lawson, President & Founder – Lawson & Associates, Inc.
- Teri Orton, General Manager – Hawaii Convention Center
- Commitment to Green:
- Danielle Bass, State Sustainability Coordinator – State of Hawaii, Office of Planning
- FOG Safe LLC
- Melissa Miyashiro, Managing Director of Strategy & Policy – Blue Planet Foundation
- Outrigger Hospitality Group: Outrigger’s ZONE (OZONE)
- Best Family-Run Business:
- Hawaiian Building Maintenance
- JPG Hawaii
- Popeyes Hawaii
- Smith’s Motor Boat Services
- Best New Business:
- Hale Partners
- Kapa Nui Nails
- Kōkua Sun Care
- Punahele Provisions
- Business Executive of the Year:
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- Monica Belz, President and CEO – Kauai Government Employees Federal Credit Union (KGEFCU)
- Tiera Covington, President – Integrated Facility Services Hawaii
- Tracy Lawson, President & Founder – Lawson & Associates, Inc.
- Kūhiō Lewis, CEO – The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
For more event information, visit pacificedgeawards.com. Inquiries about corporate sponsorship can be directed to Naomi Hazelton at (808) 721-1300 or naomi@elementmediahi.com.
About Element Media:
Element Media, Inc. is a locally owned custom publishing firm that specializes in magazines, integrated marketing, events, and social media consulting. Element Media manages all aspects of publication production, from media sales and event management to writing, editing, photography, and graphic design. Element Media currently publishes Pacific Edge, Las Vegas Bound, and Green Magazine Hawai‘i, while also running the multi-media company Beyond the Edge HI. Element Media, Inc. also hosts exclusive events on behalf of Green Drinks Honolulu.